The Infiniti QX4 began life in 1997 as an answer to the auto
market's demand for luxurious, leather-swathed SUVs. It sold well. But
for many customers, the standard all-wheel drive system was overkill.

For 2001, QX4 is offered for the first time with two-wheel drive,
too, along with a fix to its most glaring shortcoming: lack of power.

OUTSIDE - It's not hard to tell that the QX4 is a Nissan Pathfinder
in formal attire, but external body pieces such as integrated side
steps, fender flares and ample amounts of side cladding make QX4
somewhat unique. The QX4 benefits from a redesigned grille, fascia, and
front and rear bumpers. Lighting has changed too, with new
high-intensity-discharge (HID) xenon headlights. Also, new fog lamp/turn
indicator clusters are no longer stacked on top of each other, which
made it look like the "Family Truckster" Chevy Chase drove in the movie
National Lampoon's Vacation. The gaping air inlet below the grille has
been narrowed somewhat, and the roof rack design is new. The standard
wheel-tire combination features 16-inch three-spoke alloys and
all-weather tires, though our tester came with a 17-inch setup. And it's
nice to know that a full-sized spare with a matching wheel is standard.

INSIDE - Infiniti states that the interior is all-new for 2001, and
the company is correct for the most part. The basic shape of the
dashboard hasn't changed, but the look and feel has been improved. A
main mission of Infiniti was to differentiate QX4 from Pathfinder and
inside is where they differ most. To begin, QX4 comes standard with soft
leather upholstery, gathered and bunched in an upscale sort of way.
There is also new, brighter wood trim throughout the cabin, and a
steering wheel that is wrapped half in hide and half covered in matching
wood trim. Inset in the dash, just above the center console, is an
optional navigation screen that seems to be all the rage these days,
while an optional entertainment system that features a six-inch
flip-down video screen will entertain those seated in the back seat.
Climbing into the back seat can sometimes be a chore, due to the
narrow door openings, and three-across in back is cramped at best.

ON THE ROAD - Infiniti has added power to the QX4. The new
powerplant is an all-aluminum 3.5-liter V6 that puts out an impressive
240 horsepower and 265 lb-ft or torque. Such a massive jump in power
would lead one to expect a massive increase in performance, but the real
story is that this amount of power is what the 4500-pound QX4 needed in
the first place. The engine features such advanced hardware as a
variable-length intake system, electronic throttle control and
lightweight pistons. However, the most noticeable improvement is the
effortless delivery of power compared to that of the 3.0-liter engine of
last year. Mated to this new unit is a four-speed automatic transmission
and all-mode four-wheel drive in the case of our tester. This system
proportions the torque between the front and rear axles, so traction is
assured on slippery surfaces. It also offers a low range for more
assertive off-road prowess.

BEHIND THE WHEEL - QX4 rides on a unibody platform that Infiniti
calls MonoFrame. It provides a great foundation for this modern SUV and
keeps the ride height just high enough for ample ground clearance, and
just low enough to make it easy to climb inside. Its independent
strut-type front suspension teams well with a five-link rear setup to
give a well-controlled, compliant ride that doesn't transmit every bump
and jolt to the cabin. Coil springs and specially-calibrated shocks help
in this area, as do the oversize tires that feature a relatively soft
compound. Speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering is standard, as
are front disc/rear drum brakes with a four-wheel anti-lock braking
system. Handling is secure and stable, but not overly impressive.
Overall, the QX4 handling is about on par with others in its class.